Chilis owe their hotness to proper care. We will explain when, how and with what the best way to fertilize the fiery chillies.
Chilis belong to the paprika plant genus (Capsicum) and thus belong to the large family of nightshade plants (Solanaceae). Basically, chillies are nothing more than hot varieties of sweet peppers (Capsicum annuum). In order for your plants to grow he althily and for you to be able to harvest plenty of fiery red, hot fruits, your pepper plants need sufficient heat, plenty of sunlight, sufficient water supply and nutrient-rich soil. Chilies are one of the most consuming vegetables. But as always, the right dosage is important when it comes to fertilization. We will explain when it is best to fertilize your chili and how you can easily identify a nutrient deficiency.
The best time to fertilize chilli plants
From the seed to the fruit that is ready to be harvested, the chilli plant goes through various stages in which it makes different demands on its nutrient supply. No additional nutrients need to be added during sowing. A commercially available cultivation substrate such as our Plantura organic herb and seed soil is completely sufficient. After all, in the first few days, the seedlings will supply themselves with the reserve substances in the seed. Pre-fertilized substrates could even negatively affect seedling development due to the high nutrient content.
After pricking out and repotting, the chili can be fertilized for the first time. Either you use pre-fertilized substrate for this or you work some primarily organic fertilizer in granular form - such as our Plantura organic tomato fertilizer - into the substrate. Sufficient watering softens organic fertilizers, makes them accessible to microorganisms and releases the nutrients slowly and naturally.
From the end of May, the cold-sensitive pepper plants can be planted outdoors in a sheltered spot. It is best to first treat lean soil with compost oraccumulate rotted manure. These natural fertilizers improve the soil structure, activate soil life and provide the plant with additional nutrients. Chillies in pots are now also placed outdoors and should be given a larger pot with fresh substrate if necessary.
When planting out or shortly thereafter, the flower buds form. Now the supply of potassium and phosphorus is particularly important. Therefore, it is essential to add fertilizer again in May so that the plants produce many flowers and fruits. Special chili fertilizers can hardly be found in specialist shops, but many tomato fertilizers have a corresponding proportion of these nutrients and are therefore also ideally suited for fertilizing chillies. Mineral fertilizers, on the other hand, bring a quick nutrient boost, but harbor some dangers if used improperly. It is therefore best to use organic long-term fertilizers in organic quality such as our Plantura organic tomato fertiliser, which is particularly gentle on your plants, the soil and the animals in the garden.
Recognize deficiency symptoms in chilies
If there are too few nutrients, the chilli cannot grow and hardly produces any fruit. Excessive fertilization is in turn at the expense of the he alth of the plants, and a wide variety of over-fertilization symptoms can occur. So watch your plant closely to counteract a deficiency as early as possible. Yellow discoloration on older leaves is relatively common as the first sign of a nitrogen or magnesium deficiency, with magnesium deficiency manifesting itself as yellow leaf spots.
If initially only the young leaves are affected by the yellowing and the leaf veins are still bright green, an iron deficiency can be the cause. A lack of sulfur also manifests itself in yellowish young leaves, as well as growth inhibition and a reddish discoloration of leaf stalks and shoots. Reddish or brownish discoloration on the stem and leaves and a steep erection of the foliage indicate a lack of phosphorus. A potassium deficiency, on the other hand, manifests itself in deformed or hanging leaves, which later form brown edges and lead to cracks in the fruit skin. Yellow speckled leaves or yellow leaves with green veins indicate a calcium or boron deficiency. However, such a deficiency rarely occurs in ordinary garden soil.
Because of these effects, one might conclude that it is better to overfeed than underfeed. There isHowever, there are also signs that appear when there is an excess of nutrients. The art lies in supplying the plant with the optimal amount of these nutrients. If you notice deficiency symptoms, it is better to act quickly: Choose a fast-acting, organic liquid fertilizer such as our Plantura Organic Tomato & Vegetable Fertilizer to supply the required nutrients quickly.
Summary: When should you fertilize chillies?
- Incorporate compost or manure into the soil.
- When repotting or planting out, provide the plant with organic long-term fertilizer.
- Keep the substrate moist to allow the granules to decompose.
- Pay attention to and react to deficiency symptoms.
Fertilize chili: procedure and the right chili fertilizer
There are a number of ways in which you can supply your pepper plant with a sufficient quantity of nutrients in an optimal composition. It doesn't always have to be the first complete fertilizer from the garden center. We explain what is important when choosing a fertilizer.
Fertilize chili organically: Application recommendation
Basically, you don't necessarily have to use a special chili fertilizer. Tomato fertilizers with a high potassium content are perfectly adequate. A primarily organic long-term fertilizer offers many advantages:
- Due to the ongoing decomposition by microorganisms in the soil, the chilli plant is supplied with nutrients over a longer period of time.
- Promotion of active soil life and a sustainably improved soil structure.
- Protection of the environment by not using chemicals.
Our Plantura organic tomato fertilizer meets all of these criteria because it mainly consists of organic, plant-based raw materials. It also provides your chili with sufficient potassium for good fruit quality. The fertilizer in granular form is also easy to dose and easy to use. To ensure that you provide your chilli plants with the ideal amount of nutrients, we have put together detailed instructions for you below.
Organic long-term fertilization: instructions and dosage for chillies
- Before planting: Work 60 - 110 g/m² (5 - 9 tablespoons) of our Plantura organic tomato fertilizer into the soil
- Water well so that the granules can soften
- After 2 months you should add another 50 - 70 g/m² (4th- 6 tablespoons) fertilize
Chili mineral fertilizer
Liquid fertiliser, blue grain and Co. are particularly popular with chili pot culture. They provide a quick nutrient boost and ensure a certain basic supply. However, if the dosage is incorrect, the high s alt concentrations in mineral fertilizers can cause slight or severe fertilizer damage: the spectrum ranges from excessive leaf growth and reduced fruit set to increased susceptibility to fungal diseases and the death of the plant due to the high s alt concentration at the roots. A leaching of dissolved mineral nitrogen into deeper soil layers can also lead to increased nitrate concentrations in groundwater.
Organic fertilizers, on the other hand, are much gentler on the environment and there is almost no risk of over-fertilization - severe over-fertilization is completely impossible. The soil life is promoted by the introduction of organic material and the soil structure is improved with regular use.
Fertilize chili: coffee grounds and other home remedies
If you prefer to use natural fertilizers in your garden, you can also use mature compost or well-rotted horse manure. At the time of flowering and fruit formation, watering with diluted nettle manure is also recommended (dilute in a ratio of 1:10). This can easily be made by yourself and supplies the plant with additional nitrogen and potassium. Another sustainable use is fertilizing with coffee grounds. The actual waste product can be scattered on the ground or added to the irrigation water. Coffee grounds contain important nutrients such as potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus. It also attracts earthworms, which help break down the organic matter while loosening the soil. However, only use coffee grounds in moderation as fertilizer so that your garden soil does not acidify.
Have you ever grown chillies from seeds? It's child's play with our Plantura chili growing set.